NEED YOUR HELP ❤️‍🩹 Just found out my brother is drinking again. Everything is a mess. Spent the last hour in the crawl space of my mother's basement cleaning out broken bottles and cans. Have an 8am flight out of O'Hare and supposed to go to Madison tonight (2 hr drive there and back). Old elbow injury flaring up to add insult to injury. Only God can get me through the rest of this day. Your prayers mean everything to me right now. Thank you. Knowing I can share this here makes me feel less alone.

Tonight's passage focused on David, and how he approached battles. We all fight battles every day, often on multiple fronts. Here is the scripture we discussed and some key points for reflection: 1 Chronicles 14:13-15:1 “Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. “As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear him. After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.” - What is the first thing David does when facing a battle? HE ASKS GOD WHAT TO DO. The victory is CERTAIN. The victory is GOD'S. By asking Him how to approach the battle, David claims the victory for the Lord, and then honors him by building a special place to house God's ark in his city. - How do you ask and receive answers from God? Does He speak to you through other people? Through symbols? Through gut feelings? Through whispers? Is there a way He is trying to speak to you that you're ignoring?? Pray in EXTREME specifics, and pray He opens you up to receiving His response in whatever way He delivers it. - Are you holding back out of fear that embodying His power will force people out of your life? Are you afraid God will strike fear into others if you invite His power to strike down your enemies? Those who respect him with a healthy fear and a reverent love will not fear you. Rather, they will be drawn to you. Those cast out will be removed from your life to increase your peace and prosperity. He will provide rest from the strife they have caused in your life and PROVIDE ALL THAT YOU NEED TO BUILD AN EMPIRE IN HIS HONOR!

Day 24/90 🤍 You’re almost a quarter of the way in. Not at the beginning anymore. Not at the finish line either. This is the stretch where it stops being exciting… and starts becoming discipline. So let me ask, gently but honestly: - Are you still doing this with intention? - Or are you just checking the box? - What has shifted in you since Day 1? - Where have you surprised yourself? - Where have you slipped a little? You don’t have to be perfect. But you do have to be honest. Keep pushing, remember patience now will be rewarded later!!

May I keep the fire burning in me as I prepare for the end of this week. His word is the fire that sparks the coals within me, let it burn so bright oh Lord that I smell like smoke, so that others may ask why I smell this way. Then I can lead them to you.

Disappointed I missed Bible Study last night, but I'm in the hospital with influenza A.